We design the most sophisticated optics, mechanics, and software to create one microscope built for the sole purpose of in vivo brain imaging with unrivaled signal detection. Real time processing and parallelization of data flow are achieved using the latest advances in Programmable System-on-Chip and GPU-CPU frameworks.

Importantly, we also run our own laboratories. We know that all of this technology isn't worth much if students and postdocs cannot use it. That's why we make everything user friendly and we provide a host of powerful analytical tools and live consultation to get even first year students up and running fast.

SCOPE

The only system optimized from first principles. Get the basic system, we'll install it all and customize it to your needs.

Platform

SOFTWARE

Intuitive to use, open, extendable, with a host of analytical tools built in.

SERVICE

We build it. We support it. Stay current with hardware and software updates.

We don't compromise on components—nor should you.

We use tested and true off-the-shelf components that we use in our own labs. These are the best components we have found - and we've tried a lot. Your images are your data.

ALAZAR TECH ATS9440 DIGITIZER

125 gigasamples per second at 14 bit depth. 4 channels. We trigger the digitizer off of every single laser pulse.

FEMTO HIGH SPEED CURRENT AMPLIFIERS

In order to digitize at 80MHz, we need to use amplifiers with the bandwidth to handle this speed. These Femto DHPCA-100 amplifiers are up to the task. Unrivaled speed and signal.

RESONANT SCANNING

We use a Cambridge 6215H galvo scanner and Cambridge CRS 8K resonant scanner. Providing 30 fps imaging. Scan parameters, such as zoom, field size, and scan rate are controlled in our software.

FULL 2" OPTICS ON THE COLLECTION PATH

Our Z-max designed collection path is the widest on the market. At resonant scan rates, laser dwell time is low, and emission photons become very precious. Capture them all with our 2" diameter collection path.

Gated PHOTOMULTIPLIER TUBES

We use the most sensitive PMTs on the market: Hamamatsu H11706-40 GaAsP PMTs, which have a 135 degree angle of acceptance. These PMTs can be gated within 400 nanoseconds and are ideal for experiments combining ontogenetic stimulation with calcium imaging.

OBJECTIVE LENS

Use any lens you like! Our microscope will work with any lens on the market, including the new Olympus lenses optimized for Clarity. We can fill any size back aperture and collect all of the light.

FAST Z-FOCUS

GIGE VISION CAMERAS

Monitor behaviour, running, pupil.

CONOPTICS POCKELS CELL:

The best modulators on the market

Our system is designed from the ground up, completely optimized for the latest generation of in vivo calcium imaging neuroscience experiments. Without starting from an existing microscope body, the system implements a translating microscope, designed with large clearance for behavior.

From laser optics to signal detection to digitization, it is end-to-end optimized to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and enable precise and crisp imaging.

Optimized Path

Modeled and optimized scan and detection paths. Back-aperture conjugated detection for maximum scattered light detection for 10X-40X objectives. Standard systems ship with two detection channels, and a computer controlled path switch for an included camera and optional epifluorescence path. Light-sealed for visual stimulus and behavior.

Motion

Adjust height manually without adjusting alignment along a high-carbon steel rail. Motorized XYZ-theta translation is controlled via a rotary interface, with an envelope of 100mm in all directions and +/- 60 degree angle

2P Optogenetics

New For 2017

4mm field of view, galvo-galvo-resonant scope for imaging multiple fields of view with cellular resolution

Powered by ScanBox

from Dario Ringach

Our Matlab based software makes collecting data simple and accurate. We make sure that all external stimuli, all measures of animal behavior, and all images are time stamped using the same clock. This makes analysis that much easier.

Speaking of analysis, we include a suite of image analysis tools that let you easily remove motion artefact, find all of your cells, extract their signals, and assign these signals to the correct stimulus.

Bi-directional 30Hz scanning

True 30Hz scanning with accurate, real time line alignment. In other systems, they make you use post-processing software to flip all of the lines in the image generated during mirror flyback. Not ours. We take care of this in real time.

Track running and pupil diameter

Its clear that neural activity is impacted by behavioral state. We have already integrated the imaging hardware and software needed to record and analyze running speed and pupil diameter. Of course, these data are all precisely time stamped.

Meet Knobby

Knobby is a four-axis rotary motion control surface with touch screen display for hands free control of motion in a format familiar to electrophysiologists.

Fast Z-Scanning

Image a volume, or, in preparations where brain pulsation is large (carnivores and primates, for example), use fast Z-scanning to compensate for radial motion. View multiple planes of data in real

All time stamps handled on the same clock

TTL events are time-stamped by the card by assigning them the (frame,line) pair at which they occurred. TTL lines can be programmed to detect rising/falling edges or both. These data are saved along with the entire state of the microscope (including position, gains of PMTs, laser wavelength, etc) in a Matlab file.

Real time motion stabilization

Real time image stabilization, even during running, eliminates motion artifact in your live signal readout. This makes closed loop experiments work that much better.

Online analysis

Track the activity of dozens of neurons in real time. Use this information to control stimulus generation and presentation in real time. Use these signals to generate 1p or 2p optogenetic stimulation signals or trigger behavior.

Hackable, compatible, extendable

Use Matlab, Python, or general memory mapped file data exchange to control ScanBox or exchange signals. Pipe your data over the network or to a cluster. Full set of software, network, and hardware triggering and I/O. Use the Matlab plugin system to develop your own visualization tools.

And much more...

We maintain an active blog that keeps users up to date on the latest advances in our software and hardware. Its a great place to learn about the platform and to post questions. And, of course, we are always happy to take an email from you with any questions.

We build it. We support it.

You should be collecting data. Leave the trouble shooting to us. We will install the microscope in your lab and show you how to use it over a 2-day period.

SET UP

We come to your lab, unpack, assemble, align, test, re-test, and verify every single component and signal before signing off on your microscope. If you have a mouse ready, we will even run an experiment, collect some data, and show you how to align the images, find your cells, pull out the signals, and quantify your data. We are active scientists using this same microscope every day in our own labs. We live for this stuff.

SUPPORT

Run into a problem after we leave? No problem at all. We install TeamViewer software on your computer, which lets us remotely log in. Is Matlab throwing some error messages? We can see them on your screen and actually fix the code in real time! Do your images seem dimmer than usual? No worries! If you have a phone with a wifi connection and a camera, we will gladly video chat and find the problem in any part of the optical path. Maybe its the electronics? If so, we'll figure that out fast! How? We design and build every aspect of your scope. We've seen every conceivable problem and know how to solve them.